Ahead of the Week 5 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, the latest injury update on Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is not the news that the team or fanbase wanted to hear.
“Bucs RB Bucky Irving (foot) is expected to miss Sunday’s game vs. Seahawks and is in danger of missing next week vs. [San Francisco] 49ers, per source,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on the morning of October 3. He added that “rookie Josh Williams figures to be active this week as a third back in Irving’s absence.”
Although Irving’s Week 5 absence felt likely, the added news that the Buccaneers rising star could miss Week 6 is more of a concern.
Following up on this injury update was Tampa Bay Times beat reporter and Bucs insider Rick Stroud, who reported: “Confirming Bucs RB Bucky Irving hasn’t practiced and was in a walking boot and crutches this week. No surprise he’s not expected to play Sunday at Seattle per @JFowlerESPN. It will be Rachaad White, Sean Tucker and Josh Williams at RB.”
It looks like Irving’s injury watch will extend into Week 6.
UPDATE: Later in the day on October 3, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Irving will be “out” for Week 5, per Bucs Gameday editor River Wells.
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles’ Bucky Irving Injury Update Comments Were Likely Just a Bit of Gamesmanship
Earlier this week, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles labeled Irving as “day-to-day,” although others outside the organization classified him as week-to-week.
In all likelihood, this was just a bit of gamesmanship from Bowles, in an attempt to keep the Seahawks guessing this week throughout practice.
Irving is the type of player that an opposing defense has to prepare for, and if there’s even a chance that he’ll play, it keeps Seattle honest and forces them to do the proper homework on the second-year RB.
This happens all the time around the NFL, and no one should fault Bowles for potentially getting fans’ hopes up. The fact of the matter is that Irving has been seen using a walking boot and crutches all week. He was never going to suit up for the Buccaneers in Week 5.
If Irving does indeed miss Week 5 and Week 6, he’ll have his sights set on a road matchup with the Detroit Lions in Week 7 as a potential return date. That game is scheduled for October 20, which profiles as a safe recovery timeline if the Buccaneers elect to take things slow with Irving as Fowler alluded.
Bucky Irving Isn’t the Only Buccaneers Injury vs. the Seahawks
Unfortunately, the Bucs have several notable injuries, not just Irving.
According to Stroud on Friday, October 3, “RB Bucky Irving, CB Jamel Dean, CB Benjamin Morrison, S Christian Izien and WR Mike Evans were not practicing and expected to be out for Sunday’s game at Seattle.
All five were later ruled “out” by Bowles.
That’s three key members of the secondary and two key members of the offense, not including a long-term injury like wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
On a more positive note, Stroud also reported that “Bucs RBs coach Skip Peete has returned to practice.” Peete was “hospitalized after a fainting spell” on Wednesday, October 1, per Stroud.
It’s good to see that the Buccaneers assistant is back to work, checking out healthy after the health scare earlier this week. The roster is a different story, as it’s in worse shape than it was a week ago.
Buccaneers Get Bad News on Bucky Irving Ahead of Week 5